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close menu Office of the Premier

B.C. moves to increase housing supply, deliver more homes faster

September 18, 2023 9:00 AM
Creating more homes for people
New measures are coming to B.C. that will help create more housing as the Province speeds up permitting and helps build more secondary suites for rent.
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New vision connects rural B.C. to a stronger future

September 22, 2023 11:55 AM
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close menu Agriculture and Food

XY Ranch celebrates 100 years of raising livestock

August 4, 2023 1:15 PM
The Bouffioux family of Fort St. John is being honoured with a Century Farm Award, recognizing its contribution and dedication to agriculture in British Columbia since 1916. 
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B.C., Canada help farmers with climate adaptation, drought

August 2, 2023 2:00 PM
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close menu Attorney General

Input from sheriffs to strengthen access to court services

September 27, 2023 10:00 AM
Input from sheriffs to strengthen access to court services
B.C.’s justice system will be strengthened by the B.C. Sheriff Service’s (BCSS) comprehensive plan to support sheriffs and make sure people have consistent, safer access to court services.
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New chair appointed to Building Code Appeal Board

August 24, 2023 8:30 AM
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close menu Children and Family Development

Vancouver Island camp expansion will serve more children with disabilities

July 20, 2023 10:15 AM
Vancouver Island camp expansion will serve more children with disabilities
More children and youth with disabilities will be able to go to camp thanks in part to a $7-million grant from the Province of B.C.
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Newly named SAJE supports offer youth in care a stronger path to adulthood

May 30, 2023 10:30 AM
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More grant recipients promoting BC Demographic Survey

August 25, 2023 11:15 AM
More grant recipients promoting BC Demographic Survey
More community and Indigenous groups are receiving grants to help their communities participate in the BC Demographic Survey. 
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High-speed broadband access expanded to 6 Kootenay communities

August 3, 2023 10:00 AM
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close menu Education and Child Care

Elementary school expansion provides more classrooms for Nanaimo students

September 11, 2023 9:15 AM
École Hammond Bay Elementary
Students have more space for learning at École Hammond Bay Elementary this fall after the completion of an expansion that added 12 new classrooms to the school. 
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Child care savings make returning to school more affordable for more B.C. families

August 31, 2023 1:30 PM
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close menu Emergency Management and Climate Readiness

State of emergency ends, fire response continues

September 14, 2023 3:43 PM
Based on advice from emergency management and wildfire officials, British Columbia’s provincial state of emergency will expire at the end of the day on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023.
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Financial assistance for local governments, First Nations affected by wildfire

September 6, 2023 1:50 PM
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Electric planes, motorcycles, boats showcase B.C. clean-transportation innovation

August 2, 2023 8:30 AM
A high-tech revolution is dramatically changing how British Columbia moves people and goods in the air, on the land and over the water, supported by government funding for companies that specialize in inventing and advancing zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) technologies. 
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Columbia River Treaty talks move forward after constructive Seattle session

August 15, 2023 3:08 PM
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close menu Environment and Climate Change Strategy

Province sets single-use plastic requirements

July 14, 2023 11:15 AM
Province sets single-use plastic requirements
A new provincial regulation will expand B.C.’s efforts to tackle hard-to-recycle single-use and plastic items.
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Nuxalk, Kitasoo Xai’xais guardians appointed with park ranger authority

July 25, 2023 2:30 PM
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Increased BC Family Benefit here to stay

July 18, 2023 10:15 AM
Increased BC Family Benefit here to stay
More than 285,000 families throughout B.C. will see bigger payments in their bank accounts starting this month, thanks to the permanently increased BC Family Benefit.
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Tax-credit lift puts more money in more people’s pockets

July 5, 2023 8:30 AM
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close menu Forests

Use caution, be fire safe this long weekend

August 31, 2023 2:30 PM
Be wildfire safe this long weekend
Residents and travellers are strongly urged to use caution and remain vigilant this Labour Day long weekend as ongoing elevated drought conditions in much of British Columbia increase the potential for wildfires.
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B.C. acts to protect fish in Koksilah, Upper Cowichan rivers

August 24, 2023 11:15 AM
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close menu Health

Actions protect people, B.C. communities this respiratory illness season

September 28, 2023 12:25 PM
Practice healthy habits, flu season has arrived
The Province and public-health officials are taking actions to continue protecting people, communities and the health-care system this fall and are encouraging people in B.C. aged six months and older to get their COVID-19 and influenza vaccines.
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Expanded travel programs benefit patients needing cancer care

September 27, 2023 3:15 PM
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close menu Housing

B.C. moves to increase housing supply, deliver more homes faster

September 18, 2023 9:00 AM
Creating more homes for people
New measures are coming to B.C. that will help create more housing as the Province speeds up permitting and helps build more secondary suites for rent.
  Read More

Safe housing for women leaving violence opens in Campbell River

September 12, 2023 11:15 AM
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Premier’s and minister’s statement on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day

September 30, 2023 7:30 AM
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day
Premier David Eby and Murray Rankin, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, issued the following statement on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day:
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Annual report updates collective efforts to achieve objectives of UN Declaration

June 28, 2023 12:45 PM
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B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 14 British Columbians

August 7, 2023 6:15 AM
B.C.’s highest honour recognizes 14 British Columbians
Fourteen exceptional people who have made an outstanding provincial, national or international impact will be appointed to the Order of British Columbia, the Province’s highest form of recognition and an official part of the Canadian Honours System.
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Submit a nomination for the Medal of Good Citizenship

July 25, 2023 9:30 AM
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close menu Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation

B.C. supports research to protect coastal ecosystem

August 16, 2023 9:15 AM
B.C. supports research to protect coastal ecosystem
New funding for the University of Victoria’s (UVic) Experimental Ocean Climate Change Lab (EXCEL) will support research on the impact of climate change on the environment and the promotion of resilience and sustainability for B.C.’s marine sector.
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Minister’s statement on July Labour Force Survey results

August 4, 2023 8:40 AM
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close menu Labour

Minimum wage increases to $16.75 per hour on June 1

April 5, 2023 12:30 PM
Minimum wage increases to $16.75 per hour on June 1
On June 1, 2023, B.C.'s lowest-paid workers will get a pay raise with the general minimum wage increasing from $15.65 to $16.75 an hour.
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Work continues around improved protections for app-based workers

August 3, 2023 11:15 AM
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close menu Mental Health and Addictions

B.C. secures measures to ensure families feel safe accessing public spaces

September 14, 2023 9:22 AM
Keeping child-focused spaces safe
To help ensure kids and families feel safe in their communities, the Province has received approval from the federal government to prohibit the possession of illegal drugs at playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks.
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New recovery beds will support healthier communities in northern B.C.

September 13, 2023 8:30 AM
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close menu Municipal Affairs

New vision connects rural B.C. to a stronger future

September 22, 2023 11:55 AM
StrongerBC: Good Lives in Strong Communities
The B.C. government has released StrongerBC: Good Lives in Strong Communities, a new vision that outlines investments to help build a brighter future for rural communities and the people who call them home.
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Children empowered with lifelong learning through reading

September 22, 2023 9:15 AM
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close menu Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills

Provincial Tuition Waiver Program expanded to former youth in care of all ages

September 14, 2023 8:00 AM
Provincial Tuition Waiver Program expanded to former youth in care of all ages
People looking to enrol in post-secondary education, who are former youth in care, will benefit from an expansion of the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, which has launched for the fall semester.
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Expanded graduate scholarship funding will support students

August 22, 2023 12:00 PM
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close menu Public Safety and Solicitor General

Province provides support to strengthen local fire departments

September 22, 2023 11:37 AM
Three firefighters in dirty gear smile at the camera
Communities throughout British Columbia will see improved emergency response from their local fire departments as the Province provides support to strengthen community firefighting capacity.
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Supports expanding for people in mental-health, substance-use crisis

July 17, 2023 10:15 AM
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Funding will help First Nations improve quality of life, reduce poverty

September 26, 2023 11:00 AM
Funding will help First Nations improve quality of life, reduce poverty
First Nations across B.C. will benefit from a $15-million investment from the Province to the First Nation Well Being Fund.
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People with injuries, disabilities supported getting back to work

September 6, 2023 11:45 AM
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B.C., viaSport take steps to make amateur sport safer

June 20, 2023 3:00 PM
B.C., viaSport take steps to make amateur sport safer
The Province and viaSport are improving safety in sports by continuing to provide education about safe sport, and by taking steps toward an independent complaints process for B.C.’s amateur sport sector.
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Submit a nomination for the Medal of Good Citizenship

July 25, 2023 9:30 AM
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close menu Transportation and Infrastructure

20-year strategy advances solutions for Central Okanagan transportation

September 28, 2023 11:45 AM
20-year strategy advances solutions for Central Okanagan transportation
A new comprehensive transportation strategy for the Central Okanagan between Lake Country and Peachland examines a range of projects that will help connect people with their communities, promote affordability, support the economy and the movement of goods, and create a cleaner environment. 
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Upgrades to highways 91 and 17 create safer, faster travel

September 28, 2023 11:30 AM
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close menu Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

B.C. moves to increase housing supply, deliver more homes faster

September 18, 2023 9:00 AM
Creating more homes for people
New measures are coming to B.C. that will help create more housing as the Province speeds up permitting and helps build more secondary suites for rent.
  Read More

Public input will enhance B.C.’s first-ever coastal marine strategy

August 15, 2023 2:00 PM
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Education and Child Care

Student transitions reach new high; class size remains low

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Honourable Rachna Singh

Honourable Rachna Singh

Honourable Rachna Singh

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Email: ECC.Minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu Education and Child Care

Elementary school expansion provides more classrooms for Nanaimo students

September 11, 2023 9:15 AM
École Hammond Bay Elementary
Students have more space for learning at École Hammond Bay Elementary this fall after the completion of an expansion that added 12 new classrooms to the school. 
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Child care savings make returning to school more affordable for more B.C. families

August 31, 2023 1:30 PM
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Education and Child Care

British Columbia News

Student transitions reach new high; class size remains low

https://news.gov.bc.ca/08256

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News Release

Victoria
Friday, April 17, 2015 8:30 AM

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News Release

Victoria

Friday, April 17, 2015 8:30 AM

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Class sizes in British Columbia remain low and stable while the number of students successfully moving to the next grade has reached record highs, according to the Ministry of Education’s latest data on class size and grade to grade transitions.

In 2013-14, successful transition rates reached record levels across all grade levels. Of note, there have been steady, significant improvements in the transition rates for grade 11 students over the past decade, particularly for Aboriginal and English Language Learning (ELL) students as well as students with special needs. Grade to grade transitions, particularly in the senior grades, are important predictors of successful high school completion.

The transition rate for students entering grade 12 increased by 7 percentage points, rising to 89% in 2013-14 from 82% in 2003-04. Looking at specific subgroups, the improvements are even more significant:

  • the rate for Aboriginal students increased 14 percentage points, rising to 78% from 64%;
  • the rate for ELL students increased 14 percentage points, climbing to 83% from 69%; and
  • the rate for students with special needs increased by 19 percentage points, growing to 85% from 66% a decade earlier.

In addition, the latest 2014-15 data shows that class size in B.C. remains low and stable. The average number of students per class remains near historical lows and well below the maximum size allowed in provincial legislation. Of the total number of classes in B.C., 41% have fewer than 24 students and 57% have between 24 and 30 students. Only 1.6% of classes have more than 30 students and the majority of these are classes such as band, drama and gym where it is appropriate and beneficial to have a large number of students.

As school districts work to better serve the learning needs of students, the data shows a continued shift in composition of classrooms with respect to students with Individual Education Plans (IEPs). In recent years, the data shows a trend to fewer classes with three or less students with IEPs and more classes where there are 4 or more students with IEPs. This shift reflects a move towards grouping students with similar learning needs so districts can make better use of specialist teachers and educational assistants, and an increase in specialized courses specifically designed to help students with learning challenges or special needs.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Education -

“We have one of the best education systems in Canada and in the world and I am very proud of our students’ high achievement. B.C.’s class size remains stable from previous years and we are providing a 33% increase to the Learning Improvement Fund to better support complex classroom needs.”

“Our six year completion and grade to grade transition rates continue to improve, especially for Aboriginal and ELL students as well as students with special needs. Many school districts have come up with innovative ways to better support students and it’s evident their strategies are having a very positive effect on student outcomes.”

Quick facts on 2014-15 Class Size Report:

  • There are 66,596 classes in public schools compared to 67,499 classes in 2005-06 due to a decrease in student enrolment (552,788 students enrolled in public schools in 2014-15 compared to 599,492 students in 2005-06).
  • Average class size:
    • 19.5 students for Kindergarten (17.7 in 2005-06);
    • 21.5 students for grades 1-3 (20.8 in 2005-06);
    • 25.6 students for grades 4-7 (26.3 in 2005-06);
    • 23.2 students for grades 8-12(25.0 in 2005-06).
  • Number of students with IEPs per class:
    • 15,604 classes (23.4%) with no students with IEPs;
    • 14,151 classes (21.2%) with 1 student with an IEP;
    • 11,617 classes (17.4%) with 2 students with IEPs;
    • 9,068 classes (13.6%) with 3 students with IEPs;
    • 6,051 classes (9.1%) with 4 students with IEPs;
    • 3,806 classes (5.7%) with 5 students with IEPs;
    • 2,404 classes (3.6%) with 6 students with IEPs;
    • 3,895 classes (5.8%) with 7 or more students with IEPs.
  • There are 50,440 classes (75.7%) with three or fewer students with IEPs (compared to 56,557 classes or 83.8% in 2005-06).
  • There are 12,261 classes (18.4%) with four to six students with IEPs (compared to 8,921 classes or 13.2% in 2005-06).
  • There are 3,895 classes (5.8%) with seven or more students with IEPs (compared to 2,021 classes or 3.0% in 2005-06).
  • There are 1,812 classes with students who all have IEPs. Examples of classes include: Learning Resource 9, Life Skills 11, Communications 12, Modified Math 11 and Modified Math 12, Life Skills 1- Job Preparation, Life Skills Home Economics.

Quick Facts on 2013-14 Grade to Grade Transitions:

  • A total of 268,139 students from Grades 6-11 successfully transitioned to the next grade.
  • Number of students who transitioned to the next grade:
    • 42,414 (98%) Grade 6 students (compared to 48,855 students or 97% in 2003-04);
    • 43,200 (98%) Grade 7 students (compared to 49,408 students or 97% in 2003-04);
    • 44,070 (97%) Grade 8 students (compared to 50,121 students or 95% in 2003-04);
    • 44,991 (97%) Grade 9 students (compared to 48,907 students or 94% in 2003-04);
    • 46,437 (93%) Grade 10 students (compared to 48,805 students or 91% in 2003-04);
    • 47,027 (89%) Grade 11 students (compared to 44,877 students or 82% in 2003-04).

Learn More:

Class Size Report: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/class_size/2014/public.pdf

Grade to Grade Transitions: https://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/reports/pdfs/transition/prov.pdf

Fact sheets on class size, class composition and student achievement in B.C.: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/ministries/education/factsheets/

Six-year completion rate: http://www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/2014/12/bcs-six-year-student-completion-rates-continue-to-climb.html

BC's Education Plan: http://www.bcedplan.ca/

Media Contacts:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Education
250 356-5963

https://www.facebook.com/BCProvincialGovernment/posts/982073628477596:0
https://news.gov.bc.ca/08256

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